Annus Mirabilis and Joseph O'Brien see off the challenge of Mr Rock© Photo Healy Racing
Annus Mirabilis got off the mark on his fourth career start as he took the last at Leopardstown this evening, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden, providing Aidan and Joseph O’Brien with a double on the card (won the fourth with Gleneagles .
The three-year-old son of Montjeu was beaten into fourth at the Curragh on Saturday when sent off the 5/4 favourite but he made amends this evening when stepped up to a mile and a half for the first time.
Sent off the 2/1 joint-favourite he led from the start but was headed briefly a furlong and a half out after being strongly pressed from the early straight.
He soon regained the lead just over a furlong from home and he kept on well from there to score by a length and a half at the line. Mr Rock finished second at 13/2 under Wayne Lordan for David Wachman while Hudson’s Bay, the other 2/1 joint-favourite, was a further two and a half lengths back in third.
Aidan O’Brien said afterwards: "The mile and a half obviously helped him. He got the trip well and he stays well. He is in a handicap at Galway."
The winner is a half-brother to 2013 Epsom Derby winner Ruler Of The World.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
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